Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1942. GOVERNMENT AND CRITICS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1942. GOVERNMENT AND CRITICS.

KT was a real administrative loss to New Zealand, that circumstances compelled the premature retirement of Hon. AV. Downie Stewart from active politics, because his gifts of leadership are above the average, which estimate could be said of few of the present Members of Parliament. At the time when the Dominion most needs men of special calibre to guide her destinies, she is poorer than evei* before in her history, in such leaders. It is mainly due to the goodwill and patriotism displayed by the nation generally, that the wheels of government have run comparatively smoothly. The degree of respect and admiration forthcoming from the public for their Parliamentary representatives, to-day, is not so great as desirable. To be fair, it must be acknowledged that rarely has a Dominion Parliament been faced with so involved a task.

The latest method of handling difficulties of administration, namely, the new War Administration, has pleased few outside the House, and it is ominous that Labour ranks are not only unenthusiastic, but critical. The extension of the life of Parliament is not welcomed, being against previous explicit declarations by some Labour Members. Moreover, the granting of even limited Ministerial rank to members of the Opposition is resented. Mr. Fraser must expect criticism from his friends as well as his opponents, and he would be wise to follow Mr. Downie Stewart’s advice, and do nothing to suppress such criticism- This docs not mean that the Prime Minister should be made an “Aunt Sally,” for all to throw at. He has tremendous and difficult responsibilities, and his task should not be increased by undue fault-finding. On the other hand, neither the House nor the nation, should consent to be mere yes-men to Ministerial decisions.

Most of the questions raised in the House, yesterday, came from Government supporters, who had grievances against administration in connection with social security. Nationalists also took the opportunity to refer to a matetr affecting all ratepayers, namely, the increasing levies for hospital upkeep. Mr. Nordmeyer did not offer much consolation, and for the time being ratepayers must pay as demanded. Hospital administration and finance is one of the first important questions to be dealt with by the post-war Parliament. Another question of interest raised by a Labour Member, was that of soldiers’ pay. Mr. Fraser’s reply declining to review the whole matter, should receive support. Were the forces to be regarded solely as mercenaries, engaged in fighting as a profession, rates of pay would be the all-important factor, seeing they would be fighting for nothing else. The Dominion’s soldiers have loftier ideals* For the most part, they are paid as well as they would be in civilian life. The risks they run cannot be estimated in terms of money. They face these because of their patriotism. The Dominion has no cause for shame concerning interest in the welfare of her defenders.